The Rise After the Fall: Rebuilding My Personal Brand from Scratch

People know me today as Daniella - She's the Boss, Founder of Be the Boss. But there was a time, just a few years ago, when my personal brand didn’t include any of the above.

A decade ago, I was the Founder of a Social Enterprise. I was winning awards, networking regularly, and making my mark. I was in high demand as a speaker, regularly featured in the press, and even appeared on television. My work was recognised and my voice was heard.

But, like so many entrepreneurs, I faced a turning point. My business went into decline, I had my first child, and I eventually made the decision to sell the business. With that came a profound shift in my identity. I was no longer the entrepreneur people knew—I was a new mum, studying for my MBA, and trying to rediscover myself in an unfamiliar chapter of life.

During this period of self-imposed obscurity, much of the social capital I had worked so hard to build slipped away. I felt disconnected from the world I had once thrived in, and I questioned if I could ever rebuild.

When I re-emerged into the business landscape, it was with a new business and a new focus. I naively expected that everyone would remember the old Daniella. A few people did, but things had moved on, and I hadn’t maintained any sort of presence. I quickly and painfully realised that the personal brand I had so carefully crafted was no longer as powerful. It felt like starting over.

And start over, I did.

• Got clear on my brand’s focus: I defined exactly what I wanted both my personal and business brands to represent. For me, that meant focusing on helping service business founders grow, scale, and lead with confidence.
• Reconnected with my network: I reached out to former clients and colleagues, reestablishing relationships and making new connections. Even though I didn’t enjoy networking, I knew how important it was to put myself out there again.
• Attended key industry events: I deliberately attended conferences and business events where I could connect with people who aligned with my new direction and values, ensuring my presence was known in the spaces that mattered.
• Invested in my visibility: I worked on building a consistent presence online, showing up regularly on social media and other platforms, sharing valuable content, and keeping my name in front of my audience.
• Provided real value: Whether through free resources, talks, or direct client support, I focused on delivering value that mattered. I knew that by giving first, I would build trust, credibility, and influence.
• Leveraged my past success: I used my previous accomplishments and personal stories to inspire and motivate others, allowing my journey to serve as proof of my expertise and resilience.
• Shared my expertise widely: I began appearing on podcasts, delivering talks, and writing articles to reestablish my position as a thought leader, ensuring that my name became synonymous with business growth and leadership.Bit by bit, I rebuilt a new brand with a stronger foundation and a clearer purpose.

Bit by bit, I have rebuilt a new brand with a stronger foundation and a clearer purpose.

Clients also played a role in amplifying my brand. Many helped by recommending me when I wasn’t in the room. They invited me to deliver talks, lead programmes, and showcase my expertise to new audiences. That word-of-mouth support was invaluable, allowing me to grow my business and extend my reach.

Since restarting, I’ve delivered a TEDx talk, featured on numerous podcasts, worked with international clients, and delivered multiple keynote speeches. More importantly, I’ve built a small but mighty network of founders through my Founders Network—an engaged and powerful community of business leaders.

What did I learn?

1. Your personal brand is your greatest asset: It’s not just about being in the spotlight; it’s about how you show up consistently and authentically, even when you’re out of sight for a while. That foundation allows you to rebuild and reclaim your space.

2. Obscurity is temporary, resilience is permanent: There may be times when you feel invisible, disconnected, or irrelevant, but those feelings don’t define you. The ability to push through and rebuild is what makes your personal brand even stronger.

3. Your brand evolves with you: My personal brand today isn’t what it was when I started. It reflects my journey, my growth, and the lessons learned from setbacks. Your brand should be a living reflection of your experiences.

4. Rebuilding is part of the process: Losing momentum or facing setbacks doesn’t mean it’s over. Sometimes you have to start again, but with the right mindset and strategy, rebuilding can lead to something even more powerful.

5. Personal branding and business growth go hand in hand: A strong personal brand attracts the right clients, and the right clients grow your business. When your brand and reputation are solid, business growth becomes inevitable.

I’m proof that even after losing it all, you can rise again. It’s not just about the brand you build when everything is going well; it’s about how you rebuild when the world goes quiet. And, ultimately, how that rebuild drives your business forward.

Hi I'm Daniella ???? I help service business owners streamline their processes, gain clarity, and scale using my proven VISSA? framework (Vision, Innovation, Strategy, Systems & Accountability). Ready to take your business to the next level? DM me to get started!

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